Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-01-22

the report required may be transmitted "a
season TO be presented to the legislature on
It's assembling.
The state mine inspectors report for the
year 1888 is herewith submitted. That for
the past calendar year cannot be transmit
ted until after the LIST OF February, prox.
The coal mining industry in Kansas has
assumed vast proportions, employing thoua-
ands Of men and millions Of capital. The
output Of the mines for 1884 was q, SOC, 900
bushels; that for 1885 aggregated 8O,OO1, 427
coed 5000, 900 bushels.
The present mine inspector has had
long and valuable experience as q working
miner and mining engineer, and his
thorough knowledge o the business qualities
him to suggest such practical safeguards as
are NECESSARY to ssEaze the safety and pro-
-Orms
mines. His recommendation concerninE
needed changes IN our mining laws proper
Ventilation and drainage OF mines, and the
machinery that should be supplied TO guard
against accidents, are, therefore, approved,
and commended to your consideration.
TEE LABOR BUREAU.
The commissioner of labor statistics has
collected, and will present for your consid-
Grafton many 1LnpOrtauG IaCtA and statistics
relating to the industrial, commercial, social,
educational and sanitary condition Of the
labOrlng classes. / trust the information
and suggestions embodied in his report Will
receive your careful consideration. The
statute books of Kansas contain more laws
designed especially to protest Workingmen,
and to secure Justice for them, than do those
Of any other state in the uHiOn. This
benehcent legislation began nearly TWEEN
ty-ssFen years ago with the adoption
of q constitutional provision eXsmpting the
homestead OF every citizen from forced sale,
under any process Of law. 1t has continued
from year TO year, as wrongs were pointed
out and grievances presented, until, as
have said, the statute books of the state en-
brace an unusual large number OF acts de-
signed to secure labOring men against the
eucrOachments of capital, and to provide
remedies Tor injustice done them. II should
continue until the removal of abuses and the
viudIcahon of justice Is complete. Capital
has a right to fair prOhts; labor has right
to fair wages; and the laws should, If posi-
BILE guarantee these rights to each. Self
respecting and lgW-abiding Workingmen
neither expect nor demand more than this,
and the just Judgment of an intelligent peo-
pie will indOrss any legislation having that
end IL view.
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
The monthly and quarterly reports or the
state board Of agriculture have maintained
the high standard Of excellence that has al
ways distinguished the publications Of that
department. Its biennial report viii soon
be issued, aud will furnish full details of the
agricultural and industrial development Of
Kansas, the census OF 1856, and many
other statistics and facts OF general public
interest and value. This department has
been, and for years to come Will be- invalid
able to Kansas.
SILK CULTURE.
Several agricultural and kindred organiza-
tons have called my attention TO the i'm
pOrtanc5 OF encouraging silk culture in
Kansas. The Mennonite settlers in the
central portion Of our state, who were eZ-
Uenslve cocoon growers IN their native land,
and other citizens who have made practical
experiments IN cocoon growing, agree that
the soil and climate of Kansas are specially
adapted TO seEculture. In several foreign
countries this industry affords remuneratiVe
employment TO millions Of rural and sub
urban people. If it can be successfully con
Quoted IN this state, It's value can hardly be
estimated. Certainly the subject Is worthy
Of a careful investigation, and respectfully
suggest that a legislative committee be ap-
pointed to ascertain such facts as are attain
able, and to recommend such action as NAV
be deemed necessary or advisable.
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Large and valuable additions to the col
lections of the historical society have beer
made during the past two years. Its library
now numbers S,Oz7 volumes OF books, $50
volumes OF bound newspapers an Is, $50
pamphlets. 1t has also accumulated a vast
collection OF manuscripts, miscellaneous
papers, relics and pictures. There are now
1853 newspapers and periodicals published IN
this state, and the regular issues Of these are
all being preserved in the library of the so
ciety. 1t Is doubtful whether any other state
of the union has been able to collect and
preserve such full and interesting records OF
its political material Eellg1oqzA eduoaGonel
ana industrial progress as are those now in
charge of the Kansas society. These records
are growing more valuable every year, ana
the legislature should make ample provision
for preserving them and for adding to the
collections.
THE STATES AGENT AT WASHINGTON.
The report of Hon. Samuel J. Crawford,
the states agent at Washington, smbOdies
FuI1 inform d gOmgaFnfFFB WgrTnWa claims
of Kansas against the general government.
Some of these claims have been finally
adjusted; Others are still pending. The sug-
gestiOns made by Governor Crawford touch
ing the work in his charge should receive
your attention, and instructions should be
given for his guidance in the further prose-
cutiOn OF claims IN which the state and its
people are interested. He is thoroughly
familiar with the rules and methods of the
various departments of the general govern
ment, and has prosecuted the claims OF Kan
sas with untiring industry and energy.
TIE PRIoz RAID oLAuLs.
All the information that can be furnished
concerning these claims, Is embodied IN the
report transmitted to the legislature during
The special session Of 1886. The facts ascer-
tanned and the recommendations made by
the Price Raid cOmmissi 0ners, IN that
report, are commended to your attention, as
port of the states agent at Washington,
touching the same subject.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
The state board of health submits a report
Of its proceedings, and Of the efforts it has
made to disseminate information concern
ing necessary sanitary regulations drainage
and ventilation, and the best means OF pre-
venting disease, controlling epidemics, and
improving the general health Of the COM
monWealth. It's report Is commended to
your consideration.
RENEWED RECOMMENDATIONS.
renew the recommendation made in my
messages Of 1885 and 1856, touching the i'm
proVsmsnt Of our public highways, rates of
interest, offices of Kansas corporations, the
revision and cOdihcatiOn Of the entire body
of our laws, the fees Of public officers, the
law abolishing capital punishment, the as
sessment Of improvements by occupying
claimants, and the submission Of an amend
ment to the constitution striking the word
white" from section OF article B.
TIE Goss oENITHOLoGIoAL COLLECTION.
The largest and most valuable coIlastiOa
OF birds owned by any state IN the Union
adorns our capitol, and is the property of the
state by the generous gift of Col. n. s. GOss.
This collection contains 643 species and sab
species-in all, ], 32S mounted birds. Every
kuoWa Kansas bird is here, for examination
and study by naturalists, and for the Delight
and qualification OF every visitor. During
the past year Colonel Go5s has prepared q
catalogue OF these birds Of Kansas, and hS
is constantly adding to this unique collection
by visits to every portion of Kansas and to
different parts OF North America
PUEBLO PRINTING.
1.-The quality Of the work done by the state
printer is admirable. The public documents
aud reports Of Kansas compare feVorably
with the best specimens OF such printing,
and their cost Is, considering the quality OF
workmanship, moderate, i seems to me,
however, that the aggregate expense OF state
printing can be materially reduced without
detriment to the public service. Many OF
the reports OF state departments and bureaus
E,rkn